Lula pays tribute to Rita Lee in a message on social networks: ‘She will never be forgotten’

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) published a tribute to Rita Lee on social media. The representative stated that the singer was a genius of Brazilian music and an artist ahead of her time. The artist died at age 75 on Monday night (8). She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and has been treating the disease ever since.

“Rita Lee Jones is one of the biggest and most brilliant names in Brazilian music. Singer, songwriter, actress and multi-instrumentalist. An artist ahead of her time. I thought the title of queen of rock was inappropriate, but the nickname lives up to her trajectory. Rita helped transform Brazilian music with her creativity and daring. She spared nothing and no one with her humor and eloquence”, he wrote.

“She faced machismo in life and in music and inspired generations of women in rock and art. She will never be forgotten and leaves her legacy in music and books for millions of fans around the world. My fraternal hug to her children Beto, João and Antônio , family and friends. Rita, now you’re missing.”

Rita began her career in the band Os Mutantes, in the 1960s, and has already stated that she suffered machismo when she was expelled from the group. “I never had a technique, I always had musical intuition. And, at that time, there wasn’t much room for those who didn’t have technique. So, in Mutantes it was difficult, there was a time when I was only invited to play the tambourine, pure machismo”, said in an interview with Fantástico (Globo) in 2006.

Fernando Haddad, Minister of Finance, said that the singer leaves a beautiful legacy for all Brazilians and for world music, and that the songs served as a soundtrack for many moments in her life.

Minister of Planning, Simone Tebet wrote that Rita is the representation of freedom, irreverence and modernity. “Our queen of rock. How can we not remember the many hits that rock our lives: ‘Mania de você’, ‘Lança Perfume’, ‘Jardins da Babilônia’, ‘Now Just Missing You’… A great loss for Brazil. My sincere condolences to family and friends.”

Alexandre Padilha, Minister of Institutional Relations in the Lula government, wrote that the singer presented Brazilians with her work and offered condolences to family and friends. “The patroness of freedom will be missed.”

Federal deputy Erika Hilton called the singer the queen of Brazilian rock and wished the singer to rest in peace.

Ricardo Nunes, mayor of São Paulo, said that the city is losing a countrywoman and Brazil, a talent that inspired generations. “May we honor his memory by celebrating his music and legacy.”